As part of a month full of fantastic pillow information and inspiration, we’re thrilled to introduce the GREAT SMS Pillow Contest! There are two categories in which you can enter your pillow:

Pieced Pillows

Pillow tops should be fabric sewn together to create a design, image or texture.

Can be traditional or modern patchwork.

Any type of fabric is ok (i.e. new or recycled, cotton or wool, etc.)

Can include applique.

Can include embroidery.

The pillow can be any size or shape.

Words to Live By Pillow

The pillow must include words to live by. This will obviously mean different things to different people. We’ve collected some inspiration photos for you as a springboard for your own ideas.

Words can be applied in any manner (i.e. screenprint, appliqué, embroidery, etc.).

The pillow can be any size or shape.

We’re looking for beauty, creativity, innovation, inspired stitching, great use of color, pattern & texture… Something to “Wow” everyone! Our guest judge Jennifer Paganelli, and our board members, Heather and Autum, will help us narrow the field down to 20 pillows in each category. We’ll post those finalists so you can vote for your favorites on February 25th. We’ll have a basic pillow tutorial this week on the blog so you can enter even if you’re new to sewing pillows.

Contest Rules:

Pillows must be new, created between February 1-February 23.

Edited to add: You can have up to two total entries (2 in one category or 1 in each).

Edited to add: International entries are OK.

To enter:
Send an email to [email protected]
Use PILLOW CONTEST as the subject.
Attach one good photo of your pillow, no larger than 500 px wide.
You can include a brief story about your pillow, or a link to a blog post if you’ve written about it there. You can also link to a location where we can find more photos.

Tips: Take a good picture with natural light. Share the inspiration behind your design. Give your pillow a snazzy name… Jazz it all up a bit to make it fun!

Downlite is a premiere manufacturer of down and feather bedding, including unique and quality pillow forms perfect for your next sewing project. DOWNLITE now has novelty pillow forms in three funky shapes including spheres, triangles, and cubes. They are made here, in the USA, of Hypoallergenic materials (10% White Goose Down, 90% White Goose Feathers). All three shapes come in three varying sizes ranging from 12 inches to 16 inches. Learn more on the Downlite Facebook page, or follow @downlite on Twitter!

The two first place winners will receive a 16″ cube, the two second place winners will receive a 14″ cube and the two third place winners will receive a 12″ cube.

First, Second and Third Place Prizes in both categories
The two first place winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to SMS, the two second place winners a $20 gift certificate and the two third place winners a $15 gift certificate.

the last time i entered any sort of competition was over fifteen years ago. gymnastics.
haven’t felt the itch to compete since.
this may be a big turning point in my life…
can’t wait to see all the beautiful creations this will spark!

Is this just open to US bloggers or can international sewists join in too? (I’m thinking that the iron wouldn’t work in the UK – different voltages, my hair straighteners didn’t work in New York… Not that I’m going to win but a British person might… Or a French person…)

Love pillows . . just finished one & maybe just perhaps I will enter it. Have a few more gift pillows to make as house warming gifts. Love a good pillow & I make my own pillow forms because why pay when you can play and make your own?

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Meet Kristin + Beth

We always travel with handmade bags. We have vintage embroidery framed on our walls, piles of fabric next to the sewing machine and more WIPs than we'll ever finish. We love the history, craft and artistry of sewing. Read More

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